Lou Jawitz began his life-long love affair with photography while in the US Navy. Back in civilian life, he studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, while working with and assisting commercial photographers. He quickly advanced his own career shooting high profile campaigns for top tier advertising agencies, Fortune 500 clients, as well as travel and editorial assignments for internationally recognized corporations and publications. Jawitz will offer a one day class, “Improve Your Photography” on January 6th at the Kimbell Education Center located in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The Rickie Report shares the details and some images from this internationally award-winning photographer. Learn how to make better travel, landscape and nature photos! Develop your own style!

Lou Jawitz’s assignments and travels gave him great opportunities to shoot his personal work, primarily fine-art, nature and scenic images. Jawitz’s extensive photographic career, created while working out of his iconic New York City studio, included advertising work for many notable clients including Grey Advertising, Young and Rubicam, J. Walter Thompson, Nikon, RCA Records, Pfizer, GM, Subaru, and American Airlines.

Grand Central Station, NYC by Louis Jawitz

His editorial and assignment work has appeared in numerous magazines and publications including Nikon World, Popular Mechanics, Shutterbug, and Popular Photography+ Imaging. Lou’s personal work has been exhibited in numerous New York galleries including the Nikon Gallery at Rockefeller Center and the Liberty Museum and Arts Center. Most recently, Jawitz’s work was shown in Florida at the Nathan D. Rosen Museum Gallery, Port St. Lucie Civic Center Art Gallery, Lake Worth Art League, Jonathan Dickenson State Park: ‘Floral Fusion 2016’, and the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

Close-Up, Bee by Louis Jawitz

Jawitz’ work is in the permanent collections at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center and the Liberty Museum and Arts Center. Eager to share his love and knowledge of photography, Jawitz was an Adjunct Professor at Sullivan County Community College, and he continues to teach photography workshops to individuals and small groups both in Port St. Lucie and at his Neversink Photo Workshops in New York’s Catskill Mountains. This award-winning photographer moved to Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie and enjoys photographing the beautiful locales he’s exploring and discovering on the Treasure Coast, and he continues to lecture and show his work in his new home state.

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park announces “Arts & Crafts For Firefest” on Saturday, October 21st from 1 – 5 pm. The public is invited to this event and The Rickie Report is sharing details and a Call for Vendors! Mark your calendars and enjoy the natural beauty in our own back yard! Over 3,500 people are expected to attend! Fire Fest is fun-filled, Halloween-themed family event educating the community about prescribed fire and fire safety awareness in Florida

16450 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound, FL

FRIENDS OF Jonathan Dickinson State Park

INVITE YOU TO

“ARTS & CRAFTS For FIREFEST”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST

1 – 5 PM

Fire Fest is fun-filled, Halloween-themed family event educating the community about prescribed fire and fire safety awareness in Florida! This annual Fall event in meant to increase awareness and appreciation of the park’s unique flora and fauna, recreational opportunities, and rich natural history. While attending Fire Fest, visitors learn how prescribed burning preserves our urban interface, improves habitat for native wildlife and plant species, and replenishes the environment’s nutrients. Many of Florida’s plants and animals, including the iconic Scrub-jay, are dependent on prescribed fire.

During Fire Fest, two prescribed burn demonstrations are led by the Florida Park Service’s District Five Fire Team in full fire-gear and include the ignition of the fire, “brush” trucks ready to spray water, exposition of firefighting hand-tools, and Q & A during and after the burn demonstrations. Other fun activities include live music, roasting marshmallows around the campfire, flaming buckets, live animal demonstrations, arts and crafts, a Spooky Trail, and more! Swamp buggy rides, interactive hayrides, and an ultimate 4 in 1 bounce-house and obstacle course will also be available for additional fees. Inside the Kimbell Education Center, visitors will enjoy interactive exhibits, short films, and arts and crafts activities. ​Contact the Kimbell Center for more details about Fire Fest, and learn how you can get involved too! Call 561-745-5551, or email libby.reinert@dep.state.fl.us.

For more information about this event, other events or how to become involved please visit:

Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park announce an exciting event and opportunity to sell your art! The Rickie Report shares this Call to Artists for “Floral Fusion2016”. The theme is: flowers or flower arrangements. The event consists of two parts: A flower show January 15-17, 2016, consisting of live orchids and floral exhibits plus a show of 2D and 3D art works from January 15 – February 28th. The exhibit takes place in the gallery of the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center in the Park. ATTENTION ART and FLOWER LOVERS! Mark Your Calendars!

“FLORAL FUSION 2016”

CALL TO ARTISTS

Friends Of Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Announce

An Exciting Event and Opportunity To Sell Your Artwork!

THE EVENT WILL CONSIST OF

TWO PARTS:

A Flower Show January 15-17, 2016

Consisting of Live Orchids and Floral Exhibits

A show of 2D(painting, photography, mixed media) and 3D (sculpture, glass) art work

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Display takes place at the Gallery of the Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center in the Park from January 15–February 28, 2016.

16450 Southeast Federal Highway Hobe Sound, FL 33455

DETAILS

All work submitted must have a floral theme depicting flowers and/or floral arrangements.

Work may be impressionistic as long as a floral theme is clearly discernible.

Work will be juried to ensure consistency with quality, theme, showing space, and acceptability within the park’s family-oriented, natural environment.

Entry fees and registration for two and three dimensional art is $20 per artist for up to three (3) and $5 for each additional work.

OSGS Gallery is keeping the summer hopping and the arts alive with their BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) Lecture Series. OSGS Works of Art and Custom Framing, located in the heart of Northwood Village, offers these lectures in conjunction with the free Northwood Village ArtWalk Gallery Tours on the 2nd Saturday of every month. Stop by on Saturday, July 13 to meet Ilene Gruber Adams; July 11th with Pamela Acheson and August 8th with John Rachell. The Rickie Report is pleased to share the details about Ilene Adam’s newest artwork and show our readers the progress of Tiffany Beasi’s mural, the newest addition to Northwood Village! You don’t have sign up for the Free ArtWalk tour to attend the Free Lecture. Although, we encourage you to not miss the Free VIPGuided Tour through the many art spaces in Northwood Village! To take the tour, sign up at http://www.northwoodartwalk.com/. The OSGS Lectures will begin at the end of the first ArtWalk tour, around 7pm. There are many fabulous restaurants in the area with many of them offering live music, so plan to have a bite to eat or enjoy a glass of wine before or after the lecture.

BYOC Lecture*

*Bring Your Own Chair

Presenting

Ilene Adams

Saturday, June 13th

7:00 pm (following FREE Art Walk)

FREE ART EVENT

Ilene Adams works in both mixed media painting and in photography. Her paintings are a mixture of various mediums including photo transfers, plaster, gold leaf and thread. She often uses vintage family photos or old collectable postcards and the colors are often muted. Her photos, on the other hard, are bold, bright colors, pushing the limits on saturation and manipulating reality.

“Multipad” by Ilene Adams

Ilene says about her art, “The artists that influenced me the most are Robert Rauschenberg and Maxfield Parish. Rauschenberg’s influence is apparent in my paintings that incorporate paint, collage, photographic images and artifacts. They evoke a feeling of nostalgia or of imaginary places. My photographs deal mostly with nature, but nature through an intense filter. Images are put under a microscope and colors are heightened. Ordinary images are enhanced to create painterly new images that leave the viewer wondering if they are paintings or photographs? Abstract or realistic?”

“Devil’s Millhopper” by Ilene Adams

Ilene Adams has over 35 years professional experience in various businesses in the art field. It began when she studied graphic design at Tyler School of Art, Temple University and then continued on to study printmaking and fine art at Tyler School of Art in Rome. After completing college, Ilene worked in New York City in advertising, illustration and fabric design. She has continued studying many art disciplines throughout her career at schools such as Harvard, The School of Visual Arts and faux finishing schools.

“Little Green Leaves” by Ilene Adams

Ilene has worked in many different art related field, including textile design, graphic design, faux finishes and murals. While her children were young, she had a thriving business in New Jersey creating wonderful, warm environments for homes and businesses from New York to Miami. Ilene has been featured in many design magazines in the New York metropolitan area and the Palm Beaches, as well as winning several awards for her art.

“Part Of The Whole” by Ilene Adams

For many years, Ilene was wrapped up in the corporate world as owner/CEO of a national broadcast marketing located in Boston and later in New Jersey. After moving to Florida 12 years ago, Ilene continued her marketing company, The Marketing Works, bringing her marketing and design talents to small businesses, non-profits and artists.

Ilene’ s involvement in the community’s art scene has made quite an impact. She has served as a member of organization boards, including Wellington Art Society, Artists of Palm Beach County, the Cultural Affairs Committee for West Palm Beach, Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Furry Friends and continues to be an active leader in Art Synergy/Art Palm Beach.

“My Gauguin” by Ilene Adams

During the Summer Lecture Series, each speaker will share their passion for the arts and their identity as an artist. You will discover how each began their incredible artistic journey, their background, techniques, mentors, what drives and/or motivates them and where they see their work taking them into the future. If you have not attended one of our lectures prior to now you are in for a fabulous treat and will, at the same time, learn something new in the process.

Northwood Village Mural Project

Expands to OSGS Gallery!

Artist Tiffany Beasi Wins Bid to Create a Unique Mural

The Northwood Village Mural Project was conceived in early 2014 with Northwood Village Merchants and Proponents Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla, Billy Manthy, William Halliday, Craig McInnis, Eduardo Mendieta and the West Palm Beach CRA. The West Palm Beach CRA and Edaurdo Mendieta spearheaded the initial Artist search and saw the first three murals in Northwood Village through to completion. Currently, there are several completed murals adorning the walls of various buildings in Northwood Village.These murals were created by Eduardo Mendieta, Amanda Valdes, Craig McInnis and now Tiffany Beasi.

Tiffany Beasi working on the newest mural in Northwood Village

This Mural at OSGS by Tiffany is part of the Northwood Village Mural Project but was produced solely by the owners of OSGS Gallery (as opposed to the initial murals funded by the CRA). Tiffany has painted murals in other Palm Beach County locations (Downtown Lake Worth at Dave’s Last Resort) as well.

The Northwood Village Mural Project is now in the hands of the Village Merchants and future growth will depend on merchant follow-through, sponsorships, and overall exposure to generate Northwood Village as a Mural Destination. Murals projects have thrived in many cities and create a fabulous environment for all to enjoy.

OSGS Mural Project by Tiffany Beasi Continues

Tiffany Beasi is a professional painter and a freelance graphic designer located in Florida. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. As an award-winning international artist, she has created commercial art for clients across the world including Walt Disney World, Core Communities, Orlando Magic, Hard Rock International, Roadhouse Grill and Cafe Tu Tu Tango. In recent years, Tiffany has exhibited her work in several group art shows including House of Blues Folk Art Festival, Sun Fest, Gibson Guitar Town and Hard Rock Hotels Velvet Lounge. In 2011, she was commissioned by Hard Rock International to paint 3 Les Paul Guitars for their Top of The Rock Project.

Beasi’s paintings are drowned in lush vibrant colors and were published in two books, Beatles Art: The Fantastic New Artwork of the Fab Four and Marilyn in Art. Beasi has been the Featured Artist in Industry Magazine, Axis Magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, MetroWest Magazine, Fox 35 and Jacksonville’s BUZZ Magazine.

For more information about this program or other exhibits at OSGS please contact:
Evelyn Ortiz-Smykla/Jonathan Ortiz-Smykla, OSGS Gallery 561-833-2223; OSGSArt@hotmail.com

Art runs in the veins of gallery curators Evelyn and Jonathon Ortiz-Smykla. OSGS is the embodiment of their love of art and for sharing the work of talented artists. On any given day, a visit to their gallery sees guests crossing paths with a variety of works in many mediums that include modern-art paintings, sculptures, and home wares. The team also does their own creating inside the studio: custom framing is available with a large number of options for materials, glass, matting, and mounting. The gallery also brings in guest speakers for the Bring Your Own Chair lecture series, whose dates are published on the gallery’s website. The gallery is located at 500 Northwood Road in West Palm Beach.

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park presents an exhibit of nature-themed art that includes forty-four artists and almost 90 pieces of work. The Kimbell Center Gallery will host an Opening Reception Friday July 11th. In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be an art auction. You can leave your bid and be assured that you’ll be able to keep track of the auction on line. The exhibition is open to the public with admission to the park. There will also be a People’s Choice award given at the Closing Reception on August 15th. The Rickie Report shares the details and knows you will not want to miss this!

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Announces

Art Auction through August 15

In Person at the Gallery or On-Line

Opening Reception:

Friday, July 11 at 6:30PM

Closing Reception: Friday August 15th 6:30 pm

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Kimbell Center Gallery

16450 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound, FL 33455

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park presents an exhibition of nature-themed art. This is sure to be a great exhibition with submission made from artists throughout the state . Forty-four artists were selected to display their art with close to 90 pieces in the show with various media represented, including standard and creative photography, paintings, drawings, multi-media, and sculpture. The work will represent nature from parks, all created with each individual artists own interpretation.

Work will be exhibited at the Kimbell Center Gallery with an Opening Reception Friday July 11 at 6:30PM. The exhibition will be up through August 15th and is open to the public with admission to the park. There will be a People’s Choice award that will be presented at the Closing Reception on August 15th at 6:30 pm.

In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be an auction from June 21 – August 15th. Visitors can bid on items at the center, any day between 9:00 and 5:00, or there will be bidding online at www.friendsofjdsp.com. with a catalog of all available artwork. Proceeds from the show will benefit the artists and the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which supports programs at the park.

The Friends of JDSP is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization advocating for the historical, educational, and ecological enhancement of the park. Its mission is to assist park management in meeting the natural and cultural resource management objectives established for the park.

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park presents an exhibit of nature-themed art that includes forty-four artists and almost 90 pieces of work. The Kimbell Center Gallery will host an Opening Reception Friday July 11th. In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be an art auction from June 21 – August 15th. You can leave your bid and be assured that you’ll be able to keep track of the auction on line. The exhibition will be up through August 15th and is open to the public with admission to the park. There will also be a People’s Choice award given at the Closing Reception on August 15th. The Rickie Report shares the details and knows you will not want to miss this!

Please note there have been date changes since this original article was published. This article reflects those changes.

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Announces

Art Auction through August 15

In Person at the Gallery or On-Line

Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Kimbell Center Gallery

16450 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Opening Reception:

Friday, July 11 at 6:30PM

Closing Reception: Friday August 15th 6:30 pm

“Belted King Fisher” Sculpture by David Cericola

The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park presents an exhibition of nature-themed art. This is sure to be a great exhibition with submission made from artists throughout the state . Forty-four artists were selected to display their art with close to 90 pieces in the show with various media represented, including standard and creative photography, paintings, drawings, multi-media, and sculpture. The work will represent nature from parks, all created with each individual artists own interpretation.

“Perspective” by Ilene Adams

Work will be exhibited at the Kimbell Center Gallery with an Opening Reception Friday July 11 at 6:30PM. The exhibition will be up through August 15th and is open to the public with admission to the park. There will be a People’s Choice award that will be presented at the Closing Reception on August 15th at 6:30 pm.

“Cry of the Wild” by Wendy Somero Bello

In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be an auction from June 21 – August 15th. Visitors can bid on items at the center, any day between 9:00 and 5:00, or there will be bidding online at www.friendsofjdsp.com. with a catalog of all available artwork. Proceeds from the show will benefit the artists and the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which supports programs at the park.

“Egret Wings Spread” by Mary Taylor

The Friends of JDSP is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization advocating for the historical, educational, and ecological enhancement of the park. Its mission is to assist park management in meeting the natural and cultural resource management objectives established for the park.

Durga Garcia’s article, “The ABCs of Getting Your Work out There” continues in this Rickie Report.

Entering Art Shows

Read ALL information slowly and carefully AND Follow the rules

Make a Check list to ensure you have not missed anything!

Enter Shows that match your works’ theme and discipline

Online Exhibits or Out of the area Exhibits: If work needs to be shipped leave enoughtime for shipping ( and acts of nature like a snow storm or bad weather)!

ALL SHOWS:

Can you manage the dates?

Entry deadline date?

Notification date?

Delivery date (or shipping date)?

Reception date?

Pick up work date?

Having someone else deliver/pick up? Have a written agreement of acceptability!

Portrait by Durga Garcia

The Award Ceremony

JUDGES WANT TO BE shocked or amazed, amused or educated – to see things in a way not seen before.

For the amateur it’s a learning process that mimics being commissioned. You are working to a very loose brief, but you are attempting to impress others rather than just yourself.

For the professional it is of course a chance to achieve greater exposure for your work, and therefore generate more work, but it is also a chance to ‘commission yourself’ rather than working to a client’s directions. Done correctly that can be creatively very liberating.

“Hardbody in Tutu” by Durga Garcia

Being part of an exhibit is something to be proud of, having people see your work and getting the chance to see how people respond to your work will give you invaluable feedback in your growth as an artist and is an important part of being an artist.

WINNING IMAGES have a “Wow” factor with with a story to say to be truly award-winning.

The image needs to be artfully constructed and technically well executed…beyond being something pleasurable to look at in a decorative way –— it should provoke or calm, educate or entertain with innovation, humor or add revelation.

“As We Are” SOLO Exhibit at NAWA Headquarters by Durga Garcia

Rejections and Not Winning

There may be several hundred entries with only room for only 50 pieces to be exhibited.

More entered pieces are not accepted than shown

It doesn’t necessarily mean the non-accepted work is not good, just not suitable for that exhibit, in that judges opinion, at that time or maybe needs just a little change to be better.

Sometimes it is simply a matter of space.

Art is very subjective and even the most expert opinion, is just that, an opinion.

Winning, the difference between 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th place and honorable mentions could be so slight, the same judge on a different day could easily pick a different order of winners. Being recognized as one of the best is an achievement.

Any Award is good and can become part of your resume. It is good practice to keep track of your achievements.

Many of Durga Garcia’s images can be found in Public and Private collections. She is a South Florida based freelance professional photographer of art for artists, portraits, commercial projects & events. Durga has several long term projects and books to her credit.

Durga brings a most uncommon background to her pictures. She has lived in many countries and across America, working as a racehorse trainer, equine veterinary paramedic, yoga teacher, member of the U.S. International Pistol Team and certified art appraiser. She has parlayed her years of experience as a certified art appraiser into a special talent for conveying those nuanced details in her own work. Durga maintains her Senior Fine Art Appraisal accreditations. She lectures on photography for area groups, camera clubs and art guilds. Durga hosts a blog for photographers giving tips and tricks of the business and is writing a book for kids, “Your First Photography Book”.

In September, 2014 Durga will take part in Palm Beach State College’s “BARK” Invitational Exhibit (Palm Beach Gardens, FL). She has been invited to Tuscany in Spring, 2014 to lead a multi-discipline workshop plus a Photo Tour of Iceland in Fall, 2014.